List of unsolved problems in chemistry

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This is a list of unsolved problems in chemistry. Problems in chemistry are considered unsolved when an expert in the field considers it unsolved or when several experts in the field disagree about a solution to a problem.

Physical chemistry problems

• Can the transition temperature of high-temperature superconductors be brought up to room temperature?
• How do the
  trans-actinides?^[1][2]
• Is a lithium–air battery possible?^[3]

Organic chemistry problems

• What is the origin of homochirality in biomolecules?^[4]
• Why are accelerated
  organic reactions at the water-organic interface?^{[5][non-primary source needed}
  ]
• Do replacement reactions of aryl
  radical mechanism?^[6]
• Can an electrochemical cell reliably perform organic redox reactions?^[7]
• Which "classic organic chemistry" reactions admit
  chiral catalysts
  ?
  • Is it possible to construct a quaternary carbon atom with arbitrary (distinguishable) substituents and stereochemistry?
• Can artificial enzymes replace the need for protecting groups when modifying sensitive compounds?^[8]

Inorganic chemistry problems

• Are there any molecules that certainly contain a phi bond?
• Is there a less labor- or energy-intensive technique for titanium refinement than the Kroll process?^[9]
• Does
  standard conditions?^[10]
• Can new solvents or other techniques make
  direct carbon capture economical?^[11]
  • Can artificial photosynthesis make any common fuels?^[12]
• What is a reliable synthesis and stabilization method for catenary allotropes of sulfur and carbon?

Biochemistry problems

• Enzyme kinetics: Why do some enzymes exhibit faster-than-diffusion kinetics?^[13]
• DeepMind artificial intelligence, is capable of predicting a protein's final shape based solely on its amino-acid chain with an accuracy of around 90% on a test sample of proteins used by the team.^[16]
• RNA folding problem: Is it possible to accurately predict the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of a polyribonucleic acid sequence based on its sequence and environment?
• Protein design: Is it possible to design highly active enzymes de novo for any desired reaction?^[17]
• Biosynthesis: Can desired molecules, natural products or otherwise, be produced in high yield through biosynthetic pathway manipulation?^[18]